Check strap assembly

ABSTRACT

A check strap assembly for use in controlling limits of movement of a loom picker stick, wherein the check strap &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;per se&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; is constructed of a superimposed strap element. Each strap element includes a plurality of openings detailed in spacing such that when the straps are positioned and supported on a guide rod, they will define a major loop for receiving a loom picker stick therethrough and will define a pair of minor loops located on each side of the major loop. The strap openings provide frictional engagement with the supporting guide rod to increase the effectiveness of the strap assembly in controlling limits of movement of a loom picker stick. The pair of minor loops also form a cushioning means or bumper elements between the major loop and the limit stop means on the supporting guide rod. The strap assembly includes impact receiving means constructed of a pair of strap elements, each strap element having openings slidably supported on the guide rod such that the strap element surrounds an outer portion of one of the minor loops and extends into the major loop for receiving the impact from a loom picker stick.

United States Patent [191 Shlvell Oct. 9, 1973 CHECK STRAP ASSEMBLY [76] Inventor: Philip J. Shivell, 1301 Belmeade Dr., Kingsport, Tenn. 37664 [22] Filed: Mar. 17, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 235,685

[52] US. Cl. 139/161 S, 139/165 [51] Int. Cl D03d 49/40 [58] Field of Search....l 1391161 S, 161 R, 139/162-166 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,499,596 3/1950 Lesensne 139/166 3,552,448 l/l97l Springfield... 139/161 S 2,855,004 10/1958 Shivell 139/165 2,884,961 5/1959- Plante et al 139/166 2,936,794 5/1960 Shivell et al. 139/165 2,322,685 6/1943 Crocken 139/165 2,521,893 9/1950 Bridges 139/166 FOREIGN PATENTS 0R APPLICATIONS 359,417 2/1962 Switzerland 139/166 Primary Examiner-James Kee'Chi Attorney-Edward Taylor Newton [57] ABSTRACT A check strap assembly for use in controlling limits of movement of a loom picker stick, wherein the check strap per se is constructed of a superimposed strap element. Each strap element includes a plurality of openings detailed in spacing such that when the straps are positioned and supported on a guide rod, they will define a major loop for receiving a loom picker stick therethrough and will define a pair of minor loops located on each side of the major loop. The strap openings provide frictional engagement with the supporting guide rod to increase the effectiveness of the strap assembly in controlling limits of movement of a loom picker stick. The pair of minor loops also form a cushioning means or bumper elements between the major loop and the limit stop means on the supporting guide rod. The strap assembly includes impact receiving means constructed of a pair of strap elements, each strap element having openings slidably supported on the guide rod such that the strap element surrounds an outer portion of one of the minor loops and extends into the major loop for receiving the impact from a loom picker stick.

20 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures m Lktv FIG 2 PAIENIED 91975 3.763.898

SHEET 20F 2 FIG-'3 FIG 5 FIGS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a strap assembly and is more particularly concerned with the arrangement of the mounting strap on a loom guide rod whereby the limits of movement of a loom picker stick can be effectively controlled.

In the textile industry, wherein a loom utilizes a shuttle for effecting transverse weaving of threads, a picker stick located adjacent opposite ends of a shuttle box is alternately operated such that one picker stick moves a shuttle in one direction and a second picker stick moves the shuttle in an oposite direction. The picker sticks are also utilized to absorb impact of a traveling shuttle and to limit the movement of the shuttle for return in an opposite direction.

In performing a weaving operation on a loom, it is important to accurately control a shuttle in its limits of movement such that the shuttle can be timely and accurately returned in an opposite direction.

It is a common practice to use a strap assembly forming a loop with the strap assemblyand loop slidably mounted on a guide rod, and wherein the picker stick passes through the loop such that movement of the picker stick in one direction will contact one inner surface of the loop to displace the loop along the guide rod in one direction and movement of the picker stick in an opposite direction will displace the strap assembly in an opposite direction. The frictional engagement between the strap assembly and the guide rod is utilized for decelerating the travel of the picker stick and to effectively limit its extent of movement.

A number of various combinations of strap assemblies including tie means operatively associated therewith have been utilized in controlling limits of movement of a pickerstick. However, theseprior art strap assemblies quickly become worn, thereby decreasing the frictional engagement between the strap assembly and the guide rod, so that the strap assembly will freely move into abutting contact with limit stop means on the guide rod to thereby abruptly stopa picker stick which will in turn create a bouncing movement of a shuttle.

In the prior art check strap assemblies, when the strap assembly becomes worn, it is necessary to remove the worn strap assembly and provide the loom with a new strap assembly. These prior art strap assemblies do not provide any means whereby a worn strap assembly can be adjusted for still additional use.

Also, these prior art strap assemblies do not provide any cushion means between the strap assembly and limit stop means for absorbing impacting movement of a picker stick.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The above disadvantages of the prior art have been overcome by the present invention which basically includes a strap assembly constructed of a pair of superimposed straps, with each of the straps being provided with'a plurality of spaced openings which are adapted to be slidably supported on a guide rod means to form a major loop for receiving a loom picker stick therethrough and for forming a pair of minor loops located on the guide rod on opposite sides of the major loop, and wherein the minor loops are operable for both increasing the frictional engagement between the straps and the supporting guide rod and for defining an impact absorbing cushion on opposite sides of the major loop.

One important feature of the present invention is the provision of the additional openings within the strap assembly whereby the strap assembly can be adjusted to increase or decrease the size of the major loop and/or minor loop so that the strap assembly can be continued in use after having become initially worn.

A further feature of the construction of the check strap assembly of the present invention is the provision of impact absorbing means constructed in the form of a pair of strap elements, each strap element extending around at least one of the minor loops and extending inwardly into the major loop for receiving the impact of the loom picker stick. The impact absorbing strap element will also aid in maintaining the major loop in a properly oriented position so that maximum frictional engagement can be obtained between the strap assembly and the supporting guide rod, and will increase life of the major loop.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a check strap assembly which is simple in construction and operation, economical to manufacture and reliable in performance.

These and other objects and advantages of the details of construction will become apparent after reading the following description of the illustrative embodiments with reference to the attached drawings wherein like reference numerals have been used to refer to like parts throughout the several figures, and wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front elevational view showing the check strap assembly embodying the principles of the present invention associated with a loom including a shuttle box, a shuttle and a picker stick, with the shuttlebox, shuttle and picker stick being shown in dotted line;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the check strap assembly shown in FIG. 1 and 2 with an additional strap means addedthereto for modifying the strap assembly;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of one of the straps utilized in the strap assembly of FIGS. 1-3, with the straps being longitudinally elongated;

FIG. 5 is a planview similar to FIG. 3 showing a modified strap; and

FIG. 6 is a plan view of an impact absorbing strap element. I

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENT v Referring now to the drawing, the check strap assembly embodying the principles of the present invention is shown and generally represented by reference numeral 10. The check strap assembly 10 will be described with reference to guide rod means 20 and strap means 30.

As shown in FIG. 1, the check strap assembly 10 is supported on a loom shuttle box 11 by means of an attachment bracket 12. The attachment bracket is connected to the loom shuttle box by a pair of connecting bolts I3, 14 with a lower depending end of the bracket connected to the guide rod means 20 by bolt 15. The shuttle box 1 l is operable for slidably supporting a conventional shuttle 16 on the upper surface thereof, wherein the shuttle is reciprocated on the shuttlebox by means of a picker stick 17. The picker stick 17 extends through the strap assembly 10, as will be described hereinbelow.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the guide rod 20 is constructed to include a mounting portion 21 having an opening 22 extending therethrough for receiving the connecting bolt 15. Guide rod 20 is provided with a pair of rod elements 23, 24 extending coaxially in opposite directions from the mounting portion 21. The opposite ends of the guide rod 20 are provided with a pair of limit stop collars 25, 26 which are secured in an axially set position relative to the guide rod by means of conventional locking screw means 27. Collars 25, 26 are axially adjustable on rod elements 23, 24, respectively, for maintaining proper tension of the check strap assembly. As shown in FIGS. I and 2, a washer 28 is located adjacent each of the limit stop collars 25, 26. Washers 28 are provided to increase the area of the bearing surface contacting the check strap means, as will be described in more detail hereinbelow.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the check strap means 30 includes a pair of straps 31, 32. Straps 31, 32 can be constructed either of leather, suitable'fabric material or a combination thereof which will provide the desirable strength and durable characteristics needed in a check strap assembly. Each of the straps 31, 32 are provided with a plurality of openings 33 (FIG. 3) passing therethrough, with the openings detailed in dimension to be complementary to the surface of the guide rod elements 23, 24. In an assembled relationship, as shown in FIGS. 1-3, the straps 31, 32 are slidably supported by the guide rod means 20 such that the straps form a major U-shaped loop 33 and four or more minor U- shaped loops 34, 35, 36 and 37. The major U-shaped loop 33 is operable for receiving the picker stick l7 therethrough, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The two minor loops 35, 36 are located immediately adjacent the outer surface of the major loop 33, with the loops being located on an opposite side of the guide rod means 20 from the major loop and directed in an opposite direction. The minor loops 34, 37 are located on the guide rod means 20 immediately outward from the minor loops 35, 36, respectively, and are located on the same side of the guide rod means as the major loop and extend in the same direction as the major loop 33.

As shown in FIGS. 2-5, the check straps 31, 32 are each provided with additional openings 33 which are not normally received on the guide rod means 20. The additional openings 33 are provided to pennit adjustment of the size of the major loop 33, to thereby alter the effectiveness of the check strap assembly after the assembly has become worn during a first period of operation. A first adjustment of the check strap assembly is made by utilizing one of the additional openings 33, with the guide rod element 23 on one side of the mounting portion 21 being inserted through the additional opening 33 to decrease the size of the major loop 33 and increase the size of the minor loop 35. A second adjustment can be made by inserting the guide rod element 24 through the additional opening 33 provided adjacent minor loop 36. When the rod element 24 is inserted within the additional opening 33, the major loop 33 will be again decreased in size, thus increasing the size of the minor loop 36.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the check strap assembly 30 includes impact means constructed in the form of a pair of strap elements 41, 42. Strap element 41 is provided with a plurality of openings 43 which will permit the strap element to be supported on the guide rod element 23 in such a manner as to engage the outer surface of minor loop 35 and includes a portion 45 which extends into the major loop 33, a sufficient amount to receive the impact of the picker stick l7. Strap element 42 is provided with a plurality of openings 46 which will permit the strap elements to be supported on the guide rod element 24 such that the strap is in engagement with the outer surface of minor loop 36 and includes a portion 47 which extends into major loop 33 a sufficient amount to receive the impact of the picker stick 17 when moving in an opposite direction. The strap elements 41 42 will take the main wear where the picker stick hits the strap assembly and will also provide additional rigid characteristics to the loop portions of the strap assembly to thereby aid in maintaining the loop portions in their original conditions for additional periods of time to increase the effective life of the strap assembly 30. Since strap elements 41, 42 are independent of straps 31, 32 they can be replaced when they become worn to prolong the use of the main straps. As

shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the strap elements 41, 42 are also provided with additional openings not received on the rod elements 23, 24 which openings will permit the adjustment of a strap element, as described hereinabove.

With the check strap assembly assembled on the loom guide rod means, in amanner as shown in FIGS.-

1 and 2, the two minor loops 34, 35 will provide an impact cushion means on one side of the major loop and the minor loops 36, 37 will provide an impact cushion means on an opposite side of the major loop. The impact cushion means formed by the minor loops 34-37 will aid in decelerating the motion of the picker stick thereby accurately controlling the limit of movement of the shuttle 16 without imparting any bouncing motion to the shuttle. As stated above, the compression on the minor loops can be adjusted by changing the axially set position of collars 25, 26.

The provision of the minor loop means in association with the major loop means will also increase the frictional engagement between the rod supporting means 20 and the strap assembly 30 thereby increasing the effectiveness of the strap assembly and improving the life of the strap assembly in use.

As shown in FIG. 3, a modified arrangement of the strap assembly is constructed to include an additional strap means generally represented by the reference numeral 50. The additional strap means 50 is provided with an opening 51 adjacent opposite ends, with the openings detailed in dimensions to be complementary to the rod elements 23, 24. In an assembled relationship, as shown in FIG. 3, one opening 51 is received on rod element 23 adjacent an outer surface of minor loop 35 and an inner surface of outer loop 34. The openings formed in the opposite end of strap 50 is inserted on the guide rod element 24 in a location between the outer surface of minor loop 36 and the inner surface of minor loop 37. The loop formed by the strap means 50 is located on an opposite side of the rod means 20 from the major loop 33 and is directed toward major loop 33. The strap means 50 is added to the strap assembly 30 to provide additional control to the movement of the strap assembly relative to the guide rod means 20.

' Strap means 50 is not connected to the strap means 30 but is merely slidably supported on rods 23, 24 within the minor loops 34, 37, as shown in FIG. 3.

As shown in FIG. 5, a modified strap element 31a is constructed having an arcuate shape when elongated to place all of .the strap portions in a common plane. The arcuate shaped configuration of the strap element 31a will aid informing the strap assembly so that the inside surfaces of the major loop are more accurately aligned with the angle of the picker stick and will provide additional wear characteristics to the strap assembly.

It now becomes apparent that the above described illustrative embodiments of the check strap assembly are capable of obtaining the above stated objects and advantages. lt is obvious that those skilled in the art may make modifications in the details of construction without departing from the spirit of the invention which is to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

' l. A strap for use on a guide rod of a check strap assembly in cntrolling the limits of movement of a loom picker stick, said strap including an elongated length of material having its center portion which is substantially one third of the strap length void of any openings while having a plurality of openings located adjacent each end, wherein two inner openings can be coaxially aligned to define a major loop formed from the center portion of said strap when positioned on said rod, and wherein said strap includes additional openings on said end portions that can be coaxially aligned when positioned on said rod to define at least two minor loops with a minor loop being located outwardly of each end of said major loop.

2. A strap as defined in claim 1 further characterized in that said strap includes further openings adapted to be coaxially aligned on said guide rod to form an additional minor loop means located outwardlyof said first minor loop means.

3. A strap as defined in claim 1 further characterized in that said strap is constructed of leather.

4. A strap as defined in claim 1 further characterized in that said strap is constructed of fabric material.

5. A strap as defined in claim 1 further characterized in that said strap is arcuate in shape when elongated to position all portions of said strap in a common plane.

6. A check strapassembly for use in controlling the limits of movement of a loom picker stick comprising,

in combination:

a. a guide rod; and,

b. a strap having a plurality of spaced openings, said strap being supported with said guide rod slidably passing through certain of said spaced openings to form a major U-shaped loop and a plurality of minor U-shaped loops, a number of said minor loops being located on an opposite side of said rod from said major loop, and wherein said major loop is operable for receiving a loom picker stick therethrough whereby movement of said picker stick will effect displacement of said strap so that frictional engagement of said strap with said guide rod will aid in controlling the limits of movement of said picker stick.

7. A check strap assembly as defined in claim 6 further characterized in that said guide rod passing through certain of said spaced openings to form four minor U-shaped loops, with two minor loops being located on each side of said guide rod, the lengths of said minor loops contributing to controlling the amount of frictional contact between said strap and said guide rod.

8. A check strap assembly as defined in claim 6 further characterized in that adjustable strap abutment means are provided on each end of said rod outwardly of a minor loop to permit adjustment of-the compression on said minor loops.

9. A check strap assembly as defined in claim 6 further characterized in that a second strap is provided which is superimposed upon said first mentioned strap throughout its length, each strap having a plurality of spaced openings with both straps being slidably supported on said guide rod to define said major loop and minor loop.

10. A check strap assembly as defined in claim 9 further characterized in that at least one of said superimposed straps is constructed of leather.

11. A check strap assembly as defined in claim 9 further characterized in that at least one of said superimposed straps is constructed of fabric material.

12. A check strap assembly as defined in claim 9 further characterized in that said check strap assembly includes a third strap having openings therein adjacent its extended ends, with said third strap being slidably supported on said guide rod, with one extended end of said third strap being located outwardly of a minor loop on one side of said major loop and with the other end of said third strap being located on said guide rod outwardly of a minor loop on the other side of said major loop.

l3. A check strap assembly as defined in claim 9 further characterized in that said assembly includes impact strap means and wherein said impact strap means includes a pair of strap elements, each strap element extending around one of said minor loops and including an extended portion located on the inner confines of said major loop for receiving the impact of a picker stick thereon.

14. A check strapassembly as defined in claim 6 further characterized in that said assembly includes an additional strap means having an opening formed therein adjacent each end, with one end of said strap means located on said guide rod outwardly of one end of said major loop and the other end of said strap being located on said guide rod outwardly of the other end of said major loop.

v15. A check strap assembly as defined in claim 6 fur ther characterized in that said assembly includes impact strap means, and wherein said impact strap means includes a pair of individual strap elements, each strap element surrounding at least a portion of said minor loops and including an' extended end which extends into the inner confines of said major loop for receiving the impact of a picker stick.

16. A check strap assembly as defined in claim 6 further characterized in that said assembly includes means for adjusting the size of said major loop and said minor loops.

l7.- A check strap assembly as defined in claim 16 further characterized in that said means for adjusting the sizes of said loops includes additional openings formed therein whereby said guide rod can be selectively passed therethrough tovary the length of said major loop, with a change of length of the major loop effecting a change of at least one of said minor loops.

18. A strap for use on a guide rod of a check strap assembly in controlling the limits of movement of a loom picker stick, said strap including an elongated length of material having a plurality of openings located adjacent each end, wherein two inner openings can be coaxially aligned to define a major loop when positioned on said rod, and wherein said strap includes additional openings that can be coaxially aligned when positioned on said rod to define at least two minor loops with a minor loop being located on opposite sides of said major loop, said strap being arcuate in shape when elongated so that the inside surfaces of the major loop, when positioned on said rod, will be substantially aligned with the angle of a picker stick passing through said major loop.

19. A check strap assembly for use in controlling limits of movement of a loom picker stick comprising, in combination:

a. a guide rod including outer limit means positioned thereon;

b. check strap means supported on said guide rod for sliding displacement relative thereto, said strap means defining a loop operable for receiving the loom picker stitch therethrough whereby movement of said picker stick will effect displacement of said strap means so that frictional engagement of said strap with said guide rod will aid in controlling limits of movement of said picker stick, and wherein said strap means includes cushion means '8 supported on said guide rod on opposite sides of said loop and between said outer limit means, said cushion means includes an arrangement of said strap means to define at least one minor loop means between each end of said major loop and each of said limit stop means.

20. A check strap assembly for use in controlling limits of movement of a loom picker stick comprising, in combination:

a. a guide rod including outer limit means positioned theron;

b. check strap means supported on said guide rod for sliding displacement relative thereto, said strap means defining a loop operable for receiving the loo picker stich therethrough whereby movement of said picker stick will effect displacement of said strap means so that frictional engagement of said strap with said guide rod will aid in controlling limits of movement of said picker stick, and wherein said strap means includes cushion means supported on said guide rod on opposite sides of said loop and between said outer limit means, said cushion means being an arrangement of said strap means to define at least two minor loop means between the outer surface of said major loop and said limit stop means.

i t i 

1. A strap for use on a guide rod of a check strap assembly in cntrolling the limits of movement of a loom picker stick, said strap including an elongated length of material having its center portion which is substantially one third of the strap length void of any openings while having a plurality of openings located adjacent each end, wherein two inner openings can be coaxially aligned to define a major loop formed from the center portion of said strap when positioned on said rod, and wherein said strap includes additional openings on said end portions that can be coaxially aligned when positioned on said rod to define at least two minor loops with a minor loop being located outwardly of each end of said major loop.
 2. A strap as defined in claim 1 further characterized in that said strap includes further openings adapted to be coaxially aligned on said guide rod to form an additional minor loop means located outwardly of said first minor loop means.
 3. A strap as defined in claim 1 further characterized in that said strap is constructed of leather.
 4. A strap as defined in claim 1 further characterized in that said strap is constructed of fabric material.
 5. A strap as defined in claim 1 further characterized in that said strap is arcuate in shape when elongated to position all portions of said strap in a common plane.
 6. A check strap assembly for use in controlling the limits of movement of a loom picker stick comprising, in combination: a. a guide rod; and, b. a strap having a plurality of spaced openings, said strap being supported with said guide rod slidably passing through certain of said spaced openings to form a major U-shaped loop and a plurality of minor U-shaped loops, a number of said minor loops being located on an opposite side of said rod from said major loop, and wherein said major loop is operable for receiving a loom picker stick therethrough whereby movement of said picker stick will effect displacement of said strap so that frictional engagement of said strap with said guide rod will aid in controlling the limits of movement of said picker stick.
 7. A check strap assembly as defined in claim 6 further characterized in that said guide rod passing through certain of said spaced openings to form four minor U-shaped loops, with two minor loops being located on each side of said guide rod, the lengths of said minor loops contributing to controlling the amount of frictional contact between said strap and said guide rod.
 8. A check strap assembly as defined in claim 6 further characterized in that adjustable strap abutment means are provided on each end of said rod outwardly of a minor loop to permit adjustment of the compression on said minor loops.
 9. A check strap assembly as defined in claim 6 further characterized in that a second strap is provided which is superimposed upon said first mentioned strap throughout its length, each strap having a plurality of spaced openings with both straps being slidably supported on said guide rod to define said major loop and minor loop.
 10. A check strap assembly as defined in claim 9 further characterized in that at least one of said superimposed straps is constructed of leather.
 11. A check strap assembly as defined in claim 9 further characterized in that at least one of said superimposed straps is constructed of fabric material.
 12. A check strap assembly as defined in claim 9 further characterized in that said check strap assembly includes a third strap having openings therein adjacent its extended ends, with said third strap being slidably supported on said guide rod, with one extended end of said third strap being located outwardly of a minor loop on one side of said major loop and with the other end of said third strap being located on said guide rod outwardly of a minor loop on the other side of said major loop.
 13. A check strap assembly as defined in claim 9 further characterized in that said assembly includes impact strap means and wherein said impact strap means includes a pair of strap elements, each strap element extending around one of said minor loops and including an extended portion located on the inner confines of said major loop for receiving the impact of a picker stick thereon.
 14. A check strap assembly as defined in claim 6 further characterized in that said assembly includes an additional strap means having an opening formed therein adjacent each end, with one end of said strap means located on said guide rod outwardly of one end of said major loop and the other end of said strap being located on said guide rod outwardly of the other end of said major loop.
 15. A check strap assembly as defined in claim 6 further characterized in that said assembly includes impact strap means, and wherein said impact strap means includes a pair of individual strap elements, each strap element surrounding at least a portion of said minor loops and including an extended end which extends into the inner confines of said major loop for receiving the impact of a picker stick.
 16. A check strap assembly as defined in claim 6 further characterized in that said assembly includes means for adjusting the size of said major loop and said minor loops.
 17. A check strap assembly as defined in claim 16 further characterized in that said means for adjusting the sizes of said loops includes additional openings formed therein whereby said guide rod can be selectively passed therethrough to vary the length of said major loop, with a change of length of the major loop effecting a change of at least one of said minor loops.
 18. A strap for use on a guide rod of a check strap assembly in controlling the limits of movement of a loom picker stick, said strap including an elongated length of material having a plurality of openings located adjacent each end, wherein two inner openings can be coaxially aligned to define a major loop when positioned on said rod, and wherein said strap includes additional openings that can be coaxially aligned when positioned on said rod to define at least two minor loops with a minor loop being located on opposite sides of said major loop, said strap being arcuate in shape when elongated so that the inside surfaces of the major loop, when positioned on said rod, will be substantially aligned with the angle of a picker stick passing through said major loop.
 19. A check strap assembly for use in controlling limits of movement of a loom picker stick comprising, in combination: a. a guide rod including outer limit means positioned thereon; b. check strap means supported on said guide rod for sliding displacement relative thereto, said strap means defining a loop operable for receiving the loom picker stitch therethrough whereby movement of said picker stick will effect displacement of said strap means so that frictional engagement of said strap with said guide rod will aid in controlling limits of movement of said picker stick, and wherein said strap means includes cushion means supported on said guide rod on opposite sides of said loop and between said outer limit means, said cushion means includes an arrangement of said strap means to define at least one minor loop means between each end of said major loop and each of said limit stop means.
 20. A check strap assembly for use in controlling limits of movement of a loom picker stick comprising, in combination: a. a guide rod including outer limit means positioned theron; b. check strap means supported on said guide rod for sliding displacement relative thereto, said strap means defining a loop operable for receiving the loom picker stich therethrough whereby movement of said picker stick will effect displacement of said strap means so that frictional engagement of said strap with said guide rod will aid in controlling limits of movement of said picker stick, and wherein said strap means includes cushion means sUpported on said guide rod on opposite sides of said loop and between said outer limit means, said cushion means being an arrangement of said strap means to define at least two minor loop means between the outer surface of said major loop and said limit stop means. 